Rudy Mancuso Draws Us Into His Musical Brain in Música

Rudy Mancuso is a multifaceted creator who has evolved from creating Vine skits to becoming a master storyteller. His directorial debut Música stands as a testament to his creative brilliance.

Música is a semi-autobiographical film that delves into Rudy Mancuso's personal experiences and his synesthetic world view. Mancuso uses his own life as inspiration to create the distinctive world of Música, where everyday sounds come together to shape his unique musical narrative. Unlike traditional musicals characterized by grand singing and dancing numbers, Música presents a more intimate portrayal of music as a guiding force in Mancuso's life. This approach reflects how he interprets the world around him offering a fresh and immersive exploration of his creative process.

We meet Rudy in a small diner in New Jersey, having lunch with his girlfriend Haley (Francesca Reale), who is passionately talking about their future. Haley is frustrated that Rudy doesn’t seem quite as interested in their future together as she is — and she’s right. Rudy's attention is far from their conversation, lost instead in the world of sounds around him. The gentle sweep of broom bristles on the floor, the metallic scrape on stoves, the jingle of bells, and the rustle of seasoning containers. Haley asks Rudy to tune in and he is… just not with her. He’s so caught up in his head that he’s not even noticing her grow more irritated. It is then that she decides it’s over, leaving Rudy feeling defeated. Yet, it becomes clear that Rudy's struggle isn't with losing Haley but with the conventional life trajectory he's expected to follow — a path that clashes with his inherent creativity and unique way of perceiving the world.

He’s not sure what he wants. He lives in a constant state of creativity, yet the world and Haley are persistently advising him to opt for the sure thing. As he spirals, faced with the realization that he’s running out of time, with graduation on the horizon and his thesis deadline looming, his future remains a question mark. Puppetry, despite its limited financial prospects, is his true passion. This element is particularly significant to director Mancuso as it pays homage to his YouTube show Awkward Puppets. This is precisely the essence of Música because it captures the heart of the creator.

He even includes more intimate elements like his relationship with his mother, played by Mancuso’s real-life mother (Maria Mancuso). She is a proud Brazilian woman that loves her son and is way too involved in his life. Rudy’s mom, just like Haley, seems very interested in his future, especially with his love life. Despite Rudy's lingering emotions from his breakup, his mother is eager for him to find true love, ideally with a Brazilian woman. It makes sense. Any immigrant mother would want her son to flourish but also stay true to his roots. She even sets him up on an awkward date with a Brazilian woman who wasn’t interested in getting to know him before throwing herself at him.

This drives Rudy mad as he doesn’t think all his problems will be solved with a Brazilian woman coming to save the day. Plus, he has bigger questions to answer, such as the fate of his future. But when he finds himself at the wrong end of a fish, it's the fiery, adventurous Brazilian fishmonger Isabela (Camila Mendes) who has swept him off his feet. Isabela captivates Rudy entirely, but it's her small gesture — a smiley face drawn on the wrapped-up fish she sells him — that seals the deal, consuming all his attention. The relationship between Mancuso and his real life girlfriend Camila Mendes clearly benefited the characters on camera connection as their chemistry is so organic. Their body language is very subtle but also magnetic. Isabela understands him and makes him feel seen in a way Haley doesn’t.

One of the more significant moments of the film is one with Rudy and Isabela on a lunch date in a park, where Isabela notices Rudy's easy distraction, as though he's entering another realm. Instead of judging, she invites him to share his where he mind takes hime. This moment, which I call "Rudy's orchestra," allows him to explain the sounds that fill his head and how he orchestrates them. This scene stands out for two main reasons: it effectively explains synesthesia through Mancuso’s lens and represents a liberating moment for Rudy, who had never shared the auditory aspects of his world with anyone. Isabela's encouragement reignites Rudy's passion, proving that indeed, a mother knows best.

In true rom-com fashion, Haley re-enters Rudy's life, challenging the burgeoning connection with Isabela. Instead of cherishing what he has with Isabela, Rudy attempts to juggle both relationships, pretending to have everything under control. It is then when the movie gets a little more creatively charged. The text message scene between Rudy and Diego, who is basically his conscience, is truly hilarious, so relatable, and definitely shows that Mancuso grew up in this digital age. Diego is telling Rudy that he needs to get rid of Haley, but he doesn’t listen. In the second half of the film, my feelings moved between frustration at Rudy for his playboy ways and admiration for Mancuso's bold creativity. The interplay of this storyline with the visual storytelling enhanced the movie's allure. A standout moment is the masterfully executed one-take scene that flawlessly captures Rudy moving through various sets and undergoing costume changes, all the while trying to juggle his relationships with two women. This scene alone stands as a testament to Mancuso's innovative filmmaking, brilliantly demonstrating his capacity to push creative boundaries.

While Mancuso's creative liberties occasionally verge on the edge of being considered tacky, he effectively counterbalances this with natural dialogue and a deep focus on Rudy. The film is presented entirely from Rudy's perspective, concentrating solely on his character development, which ultimately contributes to the movie's success. Mancuso's direct involvement in the storytelling ensures a perfect blend of personal narrative and cultural authenticity, from the nuanced conversations with his mother to the vibrant portrayal of Brazilian culture. This authentic depiction is evident in the lively and bold representation of Brazilian traditions and a New Jersey neighborhood imbued with its spirit.

Indeed, Mancuso is central to the film's identity, but the character of his friend Anwar, the food-truck owner played by J.B. Smoove, adds significant humor and warmth. Smoove's ability to immerse himself in the role, making it uniquely his, brings a familiar yet hilarious presence to the screen, often leaving the audience in stitches with his outrageous antics.

Música presents a musical in a way I've never seen before. This film stands out as a feel-good, coming-of-age story that lets us appreciate the playful creativity of its director, whether we're familiar with his previous work or simply along for the journey. It leaves me curious and excited about what Mancuso will deliver next.

Música is streaming on Prime Video.